Sen. Nicole Poore

This bill clarifies that the Division of Forensic Science can set reasonable fees in its regulations related to the issuance of any postmortem record, cremation permit, or statistics, which are services it currently provides at no cost. The collection of such fees is consistent with laws in other state jurisdictions.

This Act removes the prohibition against receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF” also referred to by the name Aid for Families with Dependent Children or “AFDC”) funds by persons convicted of a drug felony, so long as that person is otherwise eligible or TANF assistance. Even though federal laws such as PRWORA passed during the War on Drugs frequently prohibited access to public assistance for persons with drug felonies, these laws also gave states flexibility in determining eligibility for food aid and cash assistance for families with children when applicants had a criminal conviction. The majority of states have limited the federal bans in whole or in part. In 2011, Delaware opted out of restrictions on food aid, but it has not opted out of or limited federal restrictions on TANF—the cash assistance program that is the principal form of assistance available to most families in poverty to pay for things like electricity bills or school supplies. Under existing law, individuals convicted of any state or federal drug felony, including possession of marijuana (which can be a felony under federal law), are ineligible for TANF for life. Although the children of a parent convicted of a drug crime can still receive assistance, the family’s overall award is significantly reduced, and in practice this affects the well-being of families and children.

This Resolution recognizes June 27, 2017, as “Staff Appreciation Day” in the Delaware State Senate.

This bill would allow Delaware residents two new deductions from personal income tax. The first is a deduction from taxable income of up to $2,500 for contributions to a “529” College Savings Plan. The second is a deduction from taxable income of up to $2,500 for contributions to a “529A” Savings Account – a special account for meeting the needs of certain individuals with disabilities. Under this Act, a Delaware resident taxpayer would be eligible for the deduction regardless of whether they made a contribution to a 529 or 529A plan sponsored by the State of Delaware or another state or institution, so long as the plans met federal criterion.

This concurrent resolution recognizes and honors the young women of Delaware participating in the 2017 session of Delaware Girls State.

This Act requires children 2 years of age or younger to be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system, until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer or until the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. The law takes effect 1 year after its enactment into law to allow residents of this state sufficient time to become aware of the rear-facing car seat requirement.

This Act removes the ability of members of the Interagency Resource Management Committee to appoint designees to serve in their stead.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes Ramadan and Muslim residents of this State as they observe Ramadan.

This Resolution recognizes the young men participating in the 2017 session of Delaware’s Boys State and commends its sponsor, the American Legion Department of Delaware.

This Act builds on some of the legislation passed by the 148th General Assembly that addressed the wage gap between men and women. When employers ask prospective employees for their wage or salary history, it perpetuates disparities in pay based on gender from one job into another. This Act prohibits employers from inquiring into an applicant's compensation history. An applicant may voluntarily disclose the information if he or she wishes to do so, and the bill explicitly permits discussion and negation of compensation expectations between an employer and applicants, so long as the employer does not affirmatively seek compensation history in the course of discussion and negotiation. An employer is permitted to seek and confirm such information after an offer, including compensation, has been negotiated, made, and accepted. The effective date of the bill is delayed by 6 months to allow employers to update their policies.